THE AOUDAD. 



553 



The flesh of the Big-horn is remarkably excellent, and is said to be superior to that 

 of the native deer. When full-grown, a Big-horn measures about three feet six inches 

 in height at the shoulders, and the horns are about the same length, thus preserving the 

 same proportions of stature and length of horn as lias already been noticed in the Argali 

 of Siberia. The color of the animal is extremely variable, changing according to the season of 

 the year. 



A full-grown adult male of this species is a marvel of power ; its horns are said to be 

 capable of receiving the most violent shocks when the animal is forced to leap down any con- 



BIG-HORN. - Capra montana. 



siderable height. The female is less in size, and has smaller horns. A Big-horn of the largest 

 size will weigh three hundred and fifty pounds. A magnificent pair are in the American 



Museum. 



CLOSELY allied to the two preceding animals, the AOUDAD, or BEARDKD ARGALI, may be 

 easily distinguished from them by the heavy mane which commences at the throat and falls as 

 far as the knees. 



The Aoudad is a native of Northern Africa, and is a mountain-dweller, inhabiting only the 

 loftiest and most inaccessible precipices. It is commonly found in the lofty woods of ten 

 Atlas mountains, where it disports itself with as much ease and absence of fear as if it were 

 quietly standing on level ground. Like the argali and big-horn, it is remarkably active, as 

 needs for an animal whose life is cast among the terrible precipices of the loftiest mountain 

 ranges. The height of the Aoudad is rather more than three feet at the shoulder, so that it is 

 a really large animal, although not of such gigantic proportions as the argali. The horns are 

 about two feet in length. Round the fore-legs a quantity of long hair is placed, like ruffles, 

 just above the knee, a peculiarity which has earned for the creature the French name of 

 Mouflon a manchettes. It seems to be a lively but rather petulant animal, full of curiosity, 

 and gentle in its disposition. 



